Logistics

How to Write a Perfect Truck Driver Resume (With Examples)

truck-driver-resume
Written by Kate Lopaze

Whether you’re a veteran of the open road or someone who feels the freedom and independence of driving for a living calling to you, there’s no denying the appeal of a career in trucking and logistics. If you have a clean driving record and don’t mind spending most of your days with mostly the radio for company, it’s a great field.

Let’s look at the truck driver resume for people in the trucking industry. One is just starting out, another has been on the road for a while, and the third is a trucker looking to trade in the keys for the next step up: a managerial position in the logistics industry.

1.CDL Certified Truck Driver Resume

2.Experienced Truck Driver Resume

3.Driver Manager Resume

First up is Barbara. She’s a newly certified commercial driver, looking to trade in her local delivery experience (pizza and packages) for bigger cargo.

truck-driver-resume-barbara-jones

Download This Resume in MS Word

Barbara Jones
765 Garden Street
Pawnee, IN 34343
BarbJ@emaildomain.com
(777) 444-5555

Recent graduate of Indianapolis Trucking Institute with a clean driving record and a CDL, seeking a job as a long-distance truck driver.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

  • Indiana CDL license
  • Clean driving record
  • Safe driving practices
  • Able to work independently in the field
  • Able to navigate effectively via maps and GPS
  • Strong time management skills
  • Committed to delivering on schedule
  • Communicating with customers and within the company
  • Flexibility

WORK EXPERIENCE

Package Express                                                                  Pawnee, IN

Delivery Van Driver                                                            March 2013 – present

  • Deliver packages in 10-hour shifts
  • Maintain accurate delivery records
  • Provide excellent customer service
  • Use GPS to maximize delivery routes and deliver packages on time
  • Troubleshoot vehicle maintenance as necessary to maintain timely delivery schedule

Paul’s Pizza Palace                                                              Pawnee, IN

Delivery driver                                                                    June 2012 – March 2013

  • Delivered food to customers
  • Confirmed customer order details and ensured timely delivery
  • Named delivery driver of the month, August 2012

Here, Barbara is looking to break into the heavy-load truck driving world. She’s completed the necessary training program, and gotten her CDL license, but she doesn’t have much experience actually driving a truck long distance. So she chooses the skills-based resume format, where the skills and qualifications are the star, followed by relevant experience. She does have experience as a driver, but more on the local level. So her bullets are short and sweet, and stick to her point of emphasizing the skills that will serve her well as a commercial truck driver: customer service, savviness with GPS and route planning, and timely/accurate deliveries.

Next up is Phil, who’s been a driver for more than 15 years, but is updating his resume to seize new driving opportunities for more money.

truck-driver-resume---phil

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Phil Paddington

437 Vanderbilt Ave

Atlanta, GA 12121

(222) 321-7654

Paddington@emaildomain.com

CDL-licensed driver with more than 15 years’ experience · Spotless driving record · Adept at navigation · Good people skills · Safety-oriented · Committed to timely and efficient deliveries · Deep knowledge of DOT regulations

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

  • Class A CDL license (Georgia)
  • HAZMAT certification
  • Completion of A1 Tractor Trailer Training Academy (Atlanta, GA)

EXPERIENCE

Truck Driver – May 2010 – Present

Get It There Freight Services – Atlanta, GA

  • Deliver freight from warehouse to customers throughout the southeastern U.S. in accordance with company procedures, safety protocols, DOT regulations, and traffic laws.
  • Track deliveries and maintain log of vehicle issues, cargo records, delivery issues, and billing statements.
  • Communicate schedules and logistics with communications and the head office.
  • Navigate routes using GPS to find the most efficient route.
  • Use equipment to lift heavy cargo for transport and delivery.

Truck Driver – December 2004 – May 2010

Bronson Beverage Co. – Miami, FL

  • Delivered shipments of beverages throughout Florida.
  • Checked cargo and related documentation for completeness and accuracy prior to transport.
  • Efficiently loaded and prepared cargo for transport.
  • Followed road safety precautions and traffic laws on all trips.
  • Maintained vehicle log.
  • Worked with customers to ensure smooth and satisfactory deliveries, and provide good service.

Phil’s strength is his experience—he’s been a driver for a long time, and wants to emphasize that steady history. So his summary is basically a headline of what he wants to emphasize: his track record of delivering safely and on time; and his long record of good service. And while education is important to include (which he does at the end), for a truck driver it’s important to show the licenses and certifications Phil holds, so he inserts this information up toward the top so that it’s one of the first things the reader sees.

Phil then dives into his experience, using the reverse-chronological format. It appears his current and previous jobs were fairly similar, but he doesn’t just repeat bullet points. He finds different ways to phrase the skills and tasks involved, and makes sure he’s emphasizing the qualities he introduced in his summary.


Next up is Owen, who’s an experienced driver, but wants to move into more of an administrative and managerial role.

truck-driver-resume--owens

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Owen Jenkins

98 Main Street ◊ Seattle, WA 65656

(999) 858-5858 ◊ OJenkins@emaildomain.net

SUMMARY

Experienced trucking and transport professional seeking to leverage road experience, efficiency focus, and strong organizational skills into a supervisory logistics role. 10+ years of on-the-ground experience coordinating and delivering large shipments.

SKILLS

  • Multitasking and time management
  • Clear communication (written and verbal)
  • Customer service focus
  • Problem solving/creative solutions
  • Detail-oriented
  • Able to work with a variety of team members to get the job done quickly and effectively
  • Coordinating cost-effective logistics
  • Prioritizing safety
  • Computer skills: Microsoft Office, TargetShip logistics software
  • Licensed Class A CDL

EDUCATION

Associate’s Degree, Business Administration: Barnegat Community College

High School Diploma: Farmingdale Technical School

EXPERIENCE

SuperShip Solutions, Seattle, WA                                                  May 2011 – present

Truck Driver 

  • Deliver cargo according to schedule.
  • Track delivery information, customer feedback, and billing information
  • Coordinate schedules and routes with the SuperShip head office.
  • Manage delivery logistics to keep costs down and minimize delays.
  • Adhere to DOT, company, and traffic safety and driving protocols.
  • Use TargetShip tracking and logistics software to provide accurate transit updates.

Whereas Phil’s resume is a straight-up portrait of an experienced truck driver, Owen (who has similar experience and skill sets) is trying to set up his resume a little differently, since he’s going for a slightly different type of job. Notice that in his summary, Owen doesn’t use the word “driver” at all. This doesn’t mean he’s ashamed of his previous experience or job titles, just that he wants the reader to see him as more of an overall logistics and transportation guy. The summary (or objective) is a great way to set the tone for the rest of your resume. You set the tone, and start painting the picture of your career that you want the hiring manager to see. Like Phil, Owen emphasizes his experience, but also leans heavily on the expertise angle as well.

Because Owen is essentially changing careers (in spirit, if not changing industries) by shifting tracks within the trucking and logistics field, he’s using the functional format that works well for career changers, or people who want to emphasize the skills they bring over the experience. This means he’s front-loading his resume with skills and education first, emphasizing what qualities he brings to the table. Remember: always tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for, which means this skills section should be adapted to fit what the job description is seeking. And because Owen wants to show himself as a great potential administrator, he includes his educational background up front, since that includes a degree in Business Administration.

You’re not tethered to the traditional resume format of contact info + objective statement + experience + skills + education, in that exact order. Templates can be a great guideline, and a good way to help you get your information into fighting shape, but when it comes to structuring your resume, make sure it’s conveying what you want it to say, and that it’s featuring the information that shows you in the best possible light. Your career evolves and changes, and don’t be afraid to have your resume follow suit.

Want more resume templates? Check out the following list:

About the author

Kate Lopaze

Kate Lopaze is a writer, editor, and digital publishing professional based in New York City. A graduate of the University of Connecticut and Emerson College with degrees in English and publishing, she is passionate about books, baseball, and pop culture (though not necessarily in that order), and lives in Brooklyn with her dog.